Ask the Experts
By Ria Mastromatteo, Educational Technology Consultant
Ever have guest speakers in your class? You might try having an electronic guest -- a Web site that allows your students to "ask an expert." These sites allow you or your students to send questions to an expert in the field you are studying and get an e-mail or a Web response to the question. Here are some resources:
You should take into consideration these caveats when using expert sites:
Responses Not all sites will answer the students. Most sites have a review process and may or may not use the questions your students ask. It's good, therefore, to send the same question to several sites. If they get more than one answer, students can compare the answers.
Time Some sites respond very quickly, within a day or two. Others take up to two weeks to respond. The sites usually list their policy.
Questions Make sure the question that the students are sending is clear. Make sure that the answer they receive is written on a level they can understand. You might send a sample query or look at the archive of answers prior to using the site with your students.
Safety Be sure the students use only their first names and never offer personal information on the Web.
Numbers Try not to send too many questions to one expert. The experts generally are volunteers and offer limited time to answer questions. You might consider class questions as opposed to individual questions.
Fees Make sure that there is no fee for the services. Some experts will list a fee so be sure to check it out before you send students to use it.
I've "asked the experts" several times and have been pleasantly surprised by their willingness to help out. Why not give it a try yourself?
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